there's some investors out there, maybe it's not all entirely tied to the fiscal cliff -- >> the u.s. senate is about to meet for a brief pro forma session. we will return to this discussion on the fiscal cliff after that. this is a pro forma session of the senate. no legislative business is plan. most senators have gone on the thanksgiving holiday break. they are meeting every three days during this break in a pro forma session. the house is in session. legislative work wrapping up today, working on a bill to normalize trade relations with russia. this is live senate coverage on c-span2. the presiding officer: the senate will come to order. the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c., november 16, 2012. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable christopher a. coons, a senator from the state of delaware, to perform the duties of the chair. signed: daniel k. inouye, president pro tempore. the presiding officer: under the previous order, the senate stands adjourned un